3 July 2024
Stocks rally on Fed comments, Diageo bounces back after broker upgrade, Keywords Studios gets firm takeover offer“Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has developed a reputation for refusing to categorically state something will happen, which means the market has to interpret what they think he is saying,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
“In a speech on Tuesday, Powell said the US was back on a ‘disinflationary path’ but added that more data...
2 July 2024
Tesla sales fall again, Marks and Spencer to open new stores, Fed chair says they’ll take their time“It’s been a tough day for investors trying to keep up with the volatile political landscape and absorbing the Fed chair’s cautious stance on the rate outlook for the US.” Says Danni Hewson, AJ Bell Head of Financial Analysis.
“European markets have been subdued as relief gave way to uncertainty ahead of France’s second round vote later this week....
2 July 2024
The assets that fared best in the first half of 2024Investors could be forgiven for thinking that technology and AI-related stocks were all-conquering in the first half of 2024. However, it was not quite that simple even if NVIDIA generated portfolio-boosting returns for those who held it.
By asset class, Bitcoin topped the list, with commodities outperforming equities on a global basis and fixed...
2 July 2024
Sea of red for European shares, Sainsbury’s non-food operations continue to lag, Shoe Zone hit by shipping costs, BYD closes the gap on Tesla“Without a positive contribution from the big oil producers, the FTSE 100 would have experienced an even worse day than it already has done. Falling 0.5% in early trading to 8,128, most sectors were in the red apart from oil and gas, with BP and Shell rising on the market thanks to oil prices extending yesterday’s rally to trade at their highest...
1 July 2024
Meta falls foul of new EU rules and housebuilders rise on Nationwide figures“It’s impossible for investors not to consider the importance of stable government as so many countries face potential upheaval from disgruntled voters” says Danni Hewson, Head of Investment Analysis at AJ Bell.
“France’s far-right might not have pulled as much support as had been expected and that’s given markets a bit of breathing space today...
1 July 2024
FTSE 100 higher ahead of election week, Boeing brings key manufacturer in-house, Anglo American hit by mine fire, Raspberry Pi targeted by short seller“The FTSE 100 started July on the front foot, lifted by property, energy and financial stocks,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Elections dominate the agenda this week. Overnight results saw the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) take a significant lead in the first round of French parliamentary elections. However, the lead was...
28 June 2024
All eyes on US inflation data, two UK takeovers see plot twist, Nike stumbles on weak outlook“US inflation numbers dominate the agenda, with the market expecting core prices to have fallen to 0.1% month-on-month in May versus 0.2% in April. The annual change is expected to fall to 2.6% in May versus 2.8% in April,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
“US core PCE price index is the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge to measure...
27 June 2024
Walgreens’ shares go back to the 90s, Micron fails to impress, and DS Smith bid could be back on track“Shares in Walgreens Boots hit a 27-year low after the retail pharmacy group’s results fell short of expectations,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.
“While there are plenty of people who bask in nostalgia, shareholders don’t want the shares harking back to levels last seen in 1997.
“The stock is now trading 87% below its peak...
27 June 2024
BP reportedly waters down green commitments, Mixed picture for retail as H&M and Halfords struggle but Moonpig and Watches of Switzerland bounce back, Currys underwhelms“The FTSE 100 struggled to find direction as strength in energy and banking stocks was offset by weakness in pharmaceuticals, tobacco and mining,”
“This implies that investors might be tinkering at the edges with portfolios but taking a cautious approach ahead of Friday’s US inflation data which could play a crucial role in deciding the next steps...
26 June 2024
Inflation jitters, Shein’s London listing under scrutiny and turbulence for IAG“The mere anticipation of crucial US inflation data heading our way later this week has pulled up that lovely little tech rally that had been lifting investor spirits on Wall Street,” says Danni Hewson, Head of Investment Analysis at AJ Bell.
“AI darling Nvidia has inched its way higher for a second day, soothing market nerves after the sell-off...
26 June 2024
AO World sets about delivering the goods (more profitably)With its leading market share in major domestic appliances, AO World’s problem has never been delivering the goods, but doing so in a profitable way, and as a result the latest set of full-year results represents a major step forward.
The shares are still miles below 2014’s flotation price of 285p, let alone 2021’s pandemic peak north of 400p but...
26 June 2024
Russ Mould: why the next round of US jobs data is so importantEmployment figures play a crucial role for US interest rate decisions.
26 June 2024
Equity markets push forward, Alliance Trust eyes FTSE 100 promotion on Witan deal, Volkswagen agrees Rivian tie-up, FedEx boosted by cost cutting, AO and Marks Electrical show retail sector is still alive“With the Nasdaq recording a 1.3% gain and Nvidia rebounding after its sharp sell-off to secure a 6.8% advance last night, it’s no wonder that European and Asian markets have woken up with a spring in their step on Wednesday,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
“The FTSE 100 advanced 0.4%, led by Shell, AstraZeneca and HSBC, as buyers...
25 June 2024
Nvidia bounces back, Carnival beats for seventh time in a row and Airbus woes drag down Rolls-Royce, Melrose and more“Just as investors were starting to get worried about Nvidia’s share price entering a fourth day of declines, the chip giant has managed to shake off negative sentiment and bounce back. The stock advanced more than 5% in early trading and led its big tech counterparts higher,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.
“What looked like a...
25 June 2024
IG Design looks to craft on ongoing profit recovery“Investors could have been forgiven for fearing the worst after last December’s profit warning and layoffs at Etsy, where the American firm blamed a weak crafting market, so IG Design’s management team deserve plenty of credit for the big improvement in earnings and cashflow in the year to March, which has come despite the 10% drop in annual sales...
25 June 2024
Wall Street eyes rebound, Gear4music sings, Chapel Down up for sale, activist gets heavy with Elementis and Saga insurance woes balance out cruise success“Last night’s sell-off in certain US tech stocks doesn’t appear to have had any lasting damage given how futures prices are pointing towards an ‘up’ day for Wall Street on Tuesday,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
“Admittedly, a near-7% decline in Nvidia might have sounded the alarm bells that we’re seeing a shift in the market...
24 June 2024
Reports suggest Shein has filed London IPO documents, Apple investors shrug off EU clamp down, mixed fortunes for China-related shares, Prudential soars on buyback and IBM lifted by broker note“Hot on the heels of talk that Shein’s London IPO might have hit a brick wall, market chatter has done a U-turn with the suggestion that paperwork has been filed to get the listing over the line. Whether this is Shein’s advisers stoking the fire and trying to keep the embers burning, or solid news that the IPO is going ahead, only time will tell,”...
24 June 2024
FTSE 100 lower, concerns grow about Shein IPO, Prudential unveils $2bn buyback, Carlsberg secures PepsiCo waiver amid Britvic pursuit and SIG warns on profit“The gloomy feel to markets at the back end of last week, as the technology giants like Nvidia which led stocks higher lost momentum, has bled into the new week with the FTSE 100 lower on Monday morning,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“Mining stocks were under some pressure early on, but bucking the negative trend was Asia-focused...
21 June 2024
FTSE steady after buoyant retail sales and sobering public finances data, Britvic rejects Carlsberg takeover approach and Nvidia surrenders world’s largest company mantle to Microsoft“The FTSE 100 was steady in early trading after buoyant UK retail sales but more sobering news about the state of the public finances,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“The last time net debt represented the same proportion of GDP revealed today was when the Beatles had yet to enjoy a number one single, TV was in black and white and...
21 June 2024
Bunzl: first-half trading updateShares in support services specialist Bunzl have barely changed over the past year, although they trade barely 10% below last spring’s all-time high and that is largely the result of the solid nature of the FTSE 100 member’s business model.
Bunzl supplies the things that other firms need in order to do business, but not items they would sell to...
20 June 2024
FTSE 100 higher as investors bet on near-term UK rate cut, Nvidia keeps flying and Ocado hits seven-year low on Canadian setback“The FTSE 100 perked up after the Bank of England’s decision to leave UK interest rates untouched. A weaker pound was good for the index’s large number of overseas earners. UK 10-year gilts dipped on the rate decision but soon worked their way back upwards,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.
“Confidence is growing that the Bank...
20 June 2024
Russ Mould: What to expect from Currys and AOForthcoming results from the electrical retailers will tell us a lot about the state of the consumer.
20 June 2024
FTSE 100 higher ahead of UK rate decision, Sainsbury’s sells core banking arm to NatWest, YouGov warns and Tate & Lyle unveils major deal“The FTSE 100 was in positive mode on Thursday as investors awaited the Bank of England’s interest rate decision at lunchtime,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“In all likelihood this will be something of a non-event as Governor Andrew Bailey and his colleagues are likely to sit on their hands and largely keep schtum given that we’re...
19 June 2024
Why Raspberry Pi’s IPO success bodes well for other tech firms listing in the UKInvestors of all shapes and sizes have feasted on a slice of Raspberry Pi in what is the most significant IPO for the London market for a long time. It may only fall into smaller company territory, but this IPO is big from a strategic perspective.
It shows the UK is open for business to technology flotations and that investors are hungry for...
19 June 2024
Nvidia enjoys network effect while UK housebuilders dragged down by services inflation reading and negative comments from Berkeley“ Nvidia is enjoying a network effect – the more people talk about it, the more publicity it gets and the greater the demand for investors to own the shares,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.
“This creates a virtuous circle and has made the AI chip giant one of the hottest stocks to own in decades. Just as you think the hype is...